Land of Shadows

  * * *

  Later in the evening, the streets began to thin out a bit. Many of the folk who were just visitors tonight had eaten their fill and watched a competition they would all be talking about for years to come. Now it was time to go.

  Mothers carrying sleeping children worn out from a full day of celebration loaded their precious bundles into their wagons. Husbands with their arms around their wives headed back to the harsh life they were able to forget about for one day. But for many, the night was not yet over. A final dance had been arranged more for the locals, but anyone who felt like dancing was invited.

  There were a series of poles set up in the middle of the main street. They had been there the whole day, but now their true intent was revealed as colorful streamers were now being attached to the tops of each one. The reds, yellows and blues matched well with the streamers that were already hanging throughout the town, as well as the street lanterns whose shades had been tinted all different colors just for tonight. Musicians lined the streets and began playing a lively tune. The sounds of crumhorns, lutes and drums filled the air while the gentle breeze seemed to make the streamers dance on their own.

  Eric and Jacob were the first two to each grab a streamer. That was initiative enough for all, because many immediately followed their lead. Once a hand had graced every ribbon, the whirling dance began. Blue over yellow, red over blue, girl over boy, boy over girl. The girls pranced in one direction while the boys skipped in the other. Over then under then over again, the streamers wove a beautiful striped pattern down the poles as the circle began to tighten. Closer and closer everyone got to each other, laughing as they all became embraced in a big hug, then reversed direction and did the same dance to unwind the poles once again. On and on it went as the celebration wound down.

  The musicians were still playing softly late into the evening as couples danced slowly together in the streets, alone in their own private world and lost in each other’s eyes.

  Eric and Jacob sat on a bench in silence, both feeling very peaceful and just taking in the atmosphere.

  Then, suddenly, Jacob elbowed Eric in the ribs several times. “It looks like you have an admirer,” he said in a playful whisper.

  Eric looked up and saw the girl he was referring to across the street. A long black robe with the hood pulled back revealed a very pretty face with long blonde hair and green eyes. Her full lips were a deep blood red, which was a stark contrast to her fair skin. She was staring a hole right through Eric as she smiled.

  “Go,” Jacob said, trying to push him right off the bench.

  “Oh, uh...yeah...sure,” he stammered as he awkwardly stood up. Eric tugged at his shirt nervously as he slowly crossed the street with his head down. As he got closer to her, he realized she had not taken her eyes off him once. “Uh...hi, uh,” he mumbled as he ground one foot repeatedly into the street, as if killing a bug, while his hands remained clasped behind his back.

  “Hello, Eric Aethello,” she said with a huge grin as she tilted her head so far to the side it almost touched her shoulder.

  “Uh...how did you—” Eric stuttered as his eyes bulged.

  “All the girls know who the blacksmith of Bryer is,” she said as she rocked her whole body back and forth, pointing one shoulder forward, then the other, then back again in a playful nervous dance. Then she stood on the tips of her toes as she put her face close to his. “My name’s Aena. Will you dance with me?” she whispered in his ear.

  The two of them stared at each other unblinking without saying a word for what seemed like minutes, then they walked out into the street and began to dance slowly. They held each other close and talked well into the morning hours. Of course, the musicians had left hours earlier, but that did not stop them from dancing. They were the last two off the street in the morning when she returned with Eric back to his home.